Spanish youngster Miki Monras will make the switch from the GP3 Series to the FIA Formula Two Championship for 2011.
The 19-year-old finished tenth in the inaugural GP3 standings last year, driving for the MW Arden team. He drove the Williams JPH1B F2 car at a test at Valencia last September.
Monras is setting his sights high for his first season racing in F2. He is aiming to win the title and the prize test in the Williams F1 car.
“I’m coming to Formula Two to win,” he declared. “We saw during testing in 2010 that it was a good championship, that I was fast and that all the cars were similar, which gave me good reasons to do it. The main goal though is to win the Williams F1 prize and boost my career, and I think this is possible.
“For sure, I’m still aiming for Formula One – I know it’s very tough to reach, but the first step is to win F2 and do the F1 test. It’s a special test and not everyone can do it even if they pay, so it’s really good; it’s perfect.”
Monras feels that joining F2 will allow him to enjoy more success than he did in GP3.
“I had quite a tough season in GP3 last year, mainly because with so many cars and not a lot of track time you needed a lot of luck to have success. F2 is another way – there’s a lot more track time, the calendar is good with a lot of important circuits and of course you have the prize. For me, F2 is going to be better to build myself and gain experience – all of which is important for a driver – and I’m really pleased to be joining!”
Formula Two Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer feels that Monras' previous record will put him amongst the frontrunners this season.
“Formula Two is the perfect step for Miki and I’m thrilled he is joining the grid,” said Palmer. “His strong performances throughout his career, including success in karting, Formula Renault and GP3, have marked him out as one of Spain’s best young talents. Now in Formula Two Miki will surely be a championship challenger in his first season, and even though he faces some tough and experienced competition I expect him to be a regular visitor to the podium from the very start.”